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I am happy to share with you my story and where my passion for
childbirth all began.......I was pregnant with my second child
and wasn't happy with my first birth experience. Not because anything
went tragically wrong, but because my instincts were telling
me that there had to be something more. I had a 36 hour
labor which finally ended with the delivery of a healthy 7lb, 12oz
baby boy. The thing that troubled me about the birth was
that it was very impersonal. I felt so vulnerable
about what was happening to me. Something in my heart knew
this should be different.
When I became pregnant with my
second child, I knew I wanted to find a more supportive
health care provider. When I met the Briar Hill
Midwives, their nurturing ways captivated me right away.
I just knew I'd have a better experience having their support.
When they asked me where I'd like to give birth, I
adamantly stated "the hospital". As I continued on
with my pregnancy, being the avid reader that I am, I would borrow
books from the Midwive’s lending library on the topic of
birthing. I also committed myself to attending childbirth
classes AGAIN, but classes more conducive to a natural birth than
the CRHA classes I had taken with my first baby.
By the time I reached my 8th month of pregnancy, I had read over a
dozen books on "natural" childbirth. I realized
things about my body and my personality that helped me
understand why my first birth experience had happened the way it
did. My midwives were surprised when I changed my mind and
adamantly stated "I'm having my baby at home!".
This made sense to me now because I had a better idea of what
a laboring
women needs and I knew I would need a nurturing environment with
people I love and trust. The hospital environment just
wasn't that for me - but my home was.
When I delivered a healthy 8lb, 4oz
baby boy as planned, in the comfort of my home, I was forever
changed. My self-image as a woman was so uplifted by this
experience. I was proud to have birthed our
baby in such a wonderful gentle way. The moment of his birth
was absolutely precious beyond what I ever thought was imaginable.
What made this possible?
Knowledge – I had to educate myself and re-program my
thinking from what I had “heard” to what “I knew in my heart
made sense”.
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From there, I just had to let it
happen. Childbirth is
an amazing natural process that works with precision – if you
let it. It was after
this that I became so passionate about telling all my friends and
family that they CAN give birth naturally and it really isn’t
something to fear.
4 ½ years later when I became
pregnant again, I was excited and could hardly wait for the big
day I would give birth! (How
many people say that?) This
time, I attended a new type of childbirth preparation classes –
The Bradley Method. I
had a new partner and this was his first child so Husband-Coached
Childbirth seemed to fit. I
was pretty confident I knew all I needed to know but was willing
to sit through the classes as a “refresher”.
Little did I know I still had so much to learn!
Upon completion of the 12 week
series, I was amazed by how much more knowledge I had
acquired. I
didn’t just feel prepared, I felt relaxed and ready to enjoy my
next miracle! And that
it was…Cole was born 7lbs,
15oz. Again, in the
comfort of my home with the support of the people I love - in
an intimate environment that made for a truly memorable day.
It was after this that I made the
decision to become a Bradley Instructor.
Of the three childbirth preparation classes that I had
attended, the Bradley Method was by far the most extensive and I
believe that the information in the 12 week series is what all
couples need to truly have the best birth experience possible.
I don’t just mean, be ready to give birth, but be ready
for a truly memorable and breathtaking experience of a lifetime!
If I can help couples achieve this, I have given a gift.
I am proud to be able to contribute to one of the most
precious moments in your life.
Sincerely,
Sue
Gregor,
AAHCC
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